The hard ticks of the world (Acari: Ixodida: Ixodidae)

Abstract

The hard tick family Ixodidae currently comprises over 700 species worldwide, but information on types, developmental stages, distribution and hosts is scattered and often difficult to access. We have undertaken the task of compiling such information for each species of ixodid tick that we consider valid, believing that our summary will prove to be a valuable reference for the many people interested in ticks as organisms and also for specialists in tick-borne diseases. We fully expect that several new species of Ixodidae will have been described while this book was in press. Data for all species treated here were gleaned from a search of the world literature that concluded on 31 May 2013.